Gerard Pique extends stay at Barcelona, signs deal till 2022

Afcon Sports Writer on 18 Jan, 2018

Gerard Pique has committed his long-term future to Barcelona by putting pen to paper on a new deal until 2022.

The La Liga giants have agreed to increase the release clause of the former Manchester United defender to €500m (£441m, $610m) in order to ward off potential suitors following a summer in which the Catalans lost Neymar to Paris Saint-Germain after his €222m clause was triggered.

“FC Barcelona and player Gerard Piqué have reached an agreement to renew the player’s contract through to 30 June 2022. His buyout clause has been set at 500m euros,” the club confirmed through an official statement.

The 30-year-old joined Barcelona from Manchester United in 2008 and has proved an increasingly steady presence as centre-back with the Catalans winning three Champions Leagues and six Spanish Liga titles during his tenure. The 6ft 4in (1.94m) Pique was part of the Spain side that won the 2010 World Cup and the 2012 European Championships.

Barcelona currently top the Spanish League with a nine points lead over Atletico Madrid, but are an impressive 19 points clear of fourth placed arch-rivals Real Madrid.